Shielded tube socket with built-in radio-frequency by-pass condensers



Fei@ E3, EMS N. M. RAsKHoDos-F 2,369,177

SHIELDED TUBE SOCKET WITH BUILT-IN RADIO FREQUENCY BY-PASS CONDENSERS med oct. 9, 1941 2 sheets-sheet 1 Y /NVEN TUR Mclzolas ,MRw/fo s r F65 335 1945. N. M. RAsm-zQDQF-"F l?? SHIELDED TUBE SOCKET WITH BULT"IN RADIO FREQUENCY BY-PASS CONDENSERS l94l 2 Shee'LS-Sheel 2 Fild oct. 9,

Patented Feb. 13, 1945 SHIELDED TUBE SOCKET WITH BUILT-IN RADIO-FREQUENCY BY-PASS ERS CONDENS- Nicholas M. Raskhodoff, Hyattsville, Md.

Application October 9, 1941, Serial No. 414,311

(Cl. Z50- 16) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 192:8; 370 O. G. 757) Claims.

This invention relates to tube sockets and more particularly tovthermionic tube.sockets having shielding and radio frequency by-passing means for the tube.

It is well known in the art that when operating radio networks, especially on ultra high frequencies, it becomes necessary to effectively shield certain portions of the network and to provide adequate radio frequency by-passing means for certain elements thereof before the network will operate properly. Networks employing thermionic tubes of the acorn type are designed to operate in ultra high frequencies, and it becomes necessary to provide proper shielding means for the tube and adequate radio frequency by-passing means for certain elements of the tube. Acorn type tubes are capable of operation on ultra high frequencies due to the small size of the tube elements and the minute clearances therebetween; therefore, it is desirable'to provide adequate radio frequency by-passing means positioned adjacent the tubes whereby very short connecting leads between certain electrodes of the tube and the radio frequency by-passing means may be employed so that the advantages of the small tube construction will not be negatived.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a socket of compact construction for thermionc tubes of the class having a plurality of terminals protruding radially therefrom in a plane perpendicular to the normal axis thereof, such as the acorn type, wherein adequate shielding means for a portion of the tube which encloses the tube electrodes is included in the socket.

A further object is to provide a tube socket of the foregoing character wherein the shielding means also provides means for supporting the tube.

A further object is to provide a socket for thermionic tubes of the acorn type having a metallic cup-shaped member for shielding a portion of the tube and also for supporting the tube.

A further object is to provide a tube socket for thermionic tubes of the type having a plurality of lterminals protruding radially therefrom in a plane perpendicular to the normal axis thereof including a metallic cup-shaped member with a plurality of tube terminal supporting members Adisposed about the periphery thereof for receiving the terminals of the tube, whereby the tube is supported in said metallic member.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel socket for thermionic tubes vide a tube socket for thermionic tubes of the type having a plurality of terminals protruding radially therefrom in a plane perpendicular to the normal axis thereof having a metallic member provided with a pluralityof tube terminals supporting members whereby the tube is supported and partially shielded by the said metallic member, and radio frequency lay-passing means positioned about said metallic member whereby short connecting means between the radio frequency bypassing means and certain electrodes of the'tube may be employed.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description when consideredin connection with the accompanying drawings which disclose several embodiments of the invention. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only and not as a definition of' the limits of the invention, reference for the latter purpose being had to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar' parts throughout several views:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a socket for thermionic tubes of the acorn type constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view through line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View of another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig 4 is a cross-sectional view through line 4--4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a still further embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view through line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view .through line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan View of a tube socket constructed in accordance with a still further embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional View through line 9--9 of Fig. 8.

With reference more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a tube socket embodying the principles of the present invention is disclosed therein that is adapted to support a thermionic pentode tube IIJ, of the aco-rn type, having a plurality of terminals II protruding radially therefrom in a plane perpendicular the normal axis thereof. In accordance with the invention disclosed in the application of Howard O. Lorenzen, Serial No. 412,225, filed Sept. 25, 1941, for Radio tube sockets, a plurality of tube terminal supporting members are pivoted about the outer perighery of a cylindrical member I2, of suitable insulating material, by means of rivets I3, each of which are adapted to receive a tube terminal to support the same and to maintain a high degree of electrical contact therebetween. In pentode tubes of the acorn type, ve terminals protrude radially thgrefrom in a plane perpendicular to the normal axis thereof, and therefore, an equal number of tube terminal supporting members are provided, spaced in the same angular relation as the tube terminals. As shown in the drawings, tube terminal supporting member I4 is adapted to contact, for instance, the cathode terminal of the pentode, while supporting members I5 and I6 respectively receive the suppressor grid and screen grid terminals. Connections for the cathode heater element are completed through terminal supporting members II and I8. The plate and control grid terminals of the pentode I3 and-20. respectively, extend outwardly from opposite ends of the tube. The tube terminal supporting members are also constructed in accordance with the principles of the aforementioned application, and each are provided with a soldering tab 2l, angularly extending from the lower end thereof, to which an electrical connecting lead may be secured.

As heretofore stated, the present invention provides atube socket of novel construction having means for adequately shielding a portion of the tube, as well as utilizing such means to support the tube socket on a stationary member. As shown, such means includes a metallic cupshaped member 22, about the outer periphery of which insulating member I2 is secured by any suitable means, with the tube terminal supporting means extending upwardly beyond the open end of member 22 thus allowing the supporting members to receive vand rigidly contact corresponding tube terminals in such a. manner that body portion 23, which encloses the electrodes of pentode I0, extends into the metallic cup-shaped member 22 and is effectively shielded thereby. An opening 24 is provided in the closed end of metallic member 22 for allowing the plate terminal I9 t0 extend outwardly therefrom, and openings 25, 25 are provided for receiving suitable means for securing the socket assembly to a stationary member, not shown.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention a novel socket construction is provided having means included therein for effectively by, passing radio frequencies from certain electrodes of the tube, the construction is such that very short connecting means are required between the radio frequency by-passin'g means and corresponding tube terminal supporting members, thus providing an assembly having high electrical efflciency. As shown in the drawings, the radio frequency lay-passing means takes the form of a. circular condenser assembly imbedded in the lower portion of insulating member I2. More par.. ticularly, the condenser assembly includes a circular metallic member 26, having a connection through conductor 21 to the ground, and provided with suitable dielectric materlal on the face thereof, such as a sleeve 2B of mica. A plurality of condenser sections are formed by securing metallic plates 29, 30 and 3| over sleeve 28 by means of suitable securing means such as rivets 32, 33 and 34. In order to by-pass radio frequencies, each of the condenser sections are connected to certain electrodes of the pentode through corresponding tube terminal supporting members. As shown, condenser section comprising plate 23 is connected to the suppressor grid terminal supporting member I5, through conductor 35; cathode terminal supporting member I4 being connected to a condenser plate 3D through a suitable conductor n'ot shown, and cathode heater element terminal supporting member I8 is connected to condenser section comprising plate 3| through conductor 36.

With the foregoing construction, a compact tube socket is provided having means for adequately shielding a portion of a tube, as well as providing radio frequency by-passing means for certain electrodes of the tube with very short connecting leads therebetween. The radio frequency by-passing means is completely enclosed by suitable insulating material, which not only increases the electrical efiiciency of the assembly but also provides means for protecting the condenser assembly.

As mentioned heretofore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tube socket having radio frequency by-passing means and shielding means foi` the tube of such construction that the shielding means comprises a portion of the radio frequency by-passing means. With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, a tube socket including such means is shown therein comprising a metallic cup-shaped member 22, insulating member I2, and tube terminal supporting members assembled together in a `manner similar to the embodiment described heretofore. In order to utilize member 22 as a portion of the radio frequency by-passing means, the dielectric sleeve 2B is mounted on the surface thereof and condenser section plates 29, 3l and 3| are secured thereto by means of rivets 21, 33 and 39 respectively, with the sleeve 2B therebetween. As in the previous embodiment, each of the condenser section plates are connected to the proper tube terminal supporting member. With this construction, a more compact assembly of the radio frequency by-passing means is provided which operates more eiiciently since each condenser assembly is grounded directly, over an equal area, through metallic member 22. In manufacturing a socket of this character, due to the construction and position of the radio frequency by-passing means, the metallic member 22 may be utilized as a mould when forming the cylindrical member I2, thus simplifying the process of manufacturing as well as decreasing the cost thereof. l

A still further embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. In this embodiment the tube socket is constructed in a manner similar to the sockets described heretofore with the exception of the radio frequency by-passing means. As shown in this embodiment, the dielectric sleeve- 2B is positioned on the outer surface or metallic member 22 in a manner previously described, thus utilizing member 22 as a portion of each of the condenser assemblies. lili, 4I and 42, equal to a number of condenser sections desired, are positioned over the dielectric sleeve 28 and suitably insulated from each other by portions of insulated vmember l2. Each of the metallic circular members may be secured to dielectric sleeve 23 in a manner shown in Fig. 5, wherein circular member 42 is maintained in contact with sleeve 28 by means of rivet 43. Each of the condenser sections comp-rising one of the metallic circular members 4D, dl and 42 are individually connected to the suppressor'grid and cathode tube terminal supporting members and to one of the cathode heater elements terminal supporting members; condenser section rcomprising metallic ring d2 being connected to suppressor grid tube terminal lsupporting member lli through conductor M, metallic circular member 4l being connected to heater element tub'e` terminal supporting member I8 through conductor d'5, and, as shown in Fig. .7, the condenser sec-- tion including metallic circular member Mi is connected through lead 46 to cathode tube terminal supporting member I4.

The construction disclosed by the instant embodiment of the invention provides a tube socket assembly that may be readily manufactured at a comparatively low cost and which is characterized by radio frequency bly-passing means comprising a plurality of insulated condenser sections of equal dimensions that may be easily included in the tube socket. In this embodiment, as well as in the embodiments previously described, the insulating member i2 need not extend downwardly to enclose the radio frequency by-passing means, since the sockets shown in these embodiments may be readily manufactured and effectively operated with means for .only insulating tube terminal supporting members from each other and from the metallic cup-shaped member 22.

In some instances, a socket having adequate shielding means without radio frequency bypassing means has been found advantageous. As sho-wn in Figs. 8 and 9 a tube socket constructed in accordance with the foregoing principles is disclosed therein including the metallic cupshaped member 22 having the tube terminal supporting members I4, l5, IB,` Il and i8 angularly disposed about the periphery thereof near the open end, for receiving the tube terminals whereby the tube is supported' with the body portion thereof including the tube electrodes enclosed within member 22. Means for insulating the tube terminals supporting membersr from each other and from the metallic member 22 may take the form of a cylindrical member l1 of suitable insulating material, joined to, or secured in any suitable manner, to the outer periphery of member 22 near the open end thereof. With a socket constructed in the foregoing manner, adequate means are provided for shielding the body portion of the tube which contains the electrodes thereof, and wherein such means supports the socket on stationary member, not shown, by any suitable means cooper-ating with openings 25, 25.

The present invention thus provides novel tube sockets having means for partially shielding as well as supporting the tube of such construction that a compact assembly is provided. Moreover, means are also disclosed by the present invention for forming radio frequency by-passing means in radio tube sockets of the above type A plurality of metallic circular members' in such a manner that the connecting leads required between certain tube terminal supporting members of the socket and the radio frequency by-passing means are of comparatively short lengths, whereby radio frequencies are effectively by-passed without decreasing the electrical efficiency of the tube.

Although several of the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, as well understood by those skilled in the art. For example, the features of the present invention may be employed in numerous types-of tubes and is not necessarily limited to acorn type tubes as shown. Also, the number of tube terminal supporting members as well as the niuiiber of condenser sections connected to certain tube terminal supporting members may vary in accordance -With the type of tube to be supported. Reference therefore to be had to the appended claims for a denition of the limits of the invention.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the Vpayment of any 'royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. A socket for a thermionic tube of the type having 'a plurality of terminals protruding radially therefrom in a plane perpendicular to the normal axis thereof, comprising a metallic cupshaped member for enclosing a portion of said tube, a plurality of terminal supporting members positioned about the periphery of said member near the open end thereof for supporting said tube, a cylindrical member of dielectric material positioned about said member,A a plurality of metallic plates bent to conform to the curvature of said cup-shaped metallic member and positioned on said dielectric member, and means for electrically connecting each of said plates to one of said terminals.

2. A socket for a thermionic tube of the type having a plurality of terminals protruding radially therefrom in a plane perpendicular to the normal axis thereof, comprising a metallic cupshaped member enclosing a portion of said tube, a plurality of supporting members positioned about the periphery of said member near the open end thereof, each of said supporting members adapted to receive one of said terminals to support the tube and to form 'electrical connections between said terminals ancl corresponding supporting members therefor, a sleeve of dielectric material positioned about the lower portion of said member, a plurality of metallic rings positioned on said dielectric sleeve, and means electrically connecting each of said rings to one of said supporting members for by-passing radio frequencies.

3. A socket for thermionic tubes of the type having a plurality of terminals protruding radially therefrom in a plane perpendicular to the normal axis thereof, comprising a metallic cupshaped member enclosing a portion of said tube, a dielectric sleeve positioned about said member, a plurality of metallic plates bent to conform to the curvature of said cup-shaped member and positioned on said dielectric sleeve and secured to said cup-shaped member, a cylindrical member of insulating material positioned on said cupshaped member enclosing said plates, a plurality of supporting members secured to said cylindrical member near the open end of said cup-shaped member, each of said supporting members adapted to receive one of said terminals and to support the tube and to form electrical connections between said terminals and said supporting members, and means for electrically connecting each of said plates to one of said supporting members. A 4. A socket for thermionic tubes of the type having a plurality of terminals protruding radially therefrom in a plane perpendicular to the normal axis thereof, comprising a metallic cup-shaped member, a cylindrical member of insulating material positioned on said metallic member, a plurality of supporting members positioned about the periphery of said cylindrical member, each of said supporting members adapted to receive one of said terminals for supporting the tube whereby the latter is partially shielded by said metallic member and for forming electrical connections between said terminals and corresponding supporting member; and radio-frequency by-passing means carried by said insulating member, said by-passing means including a cylindrical condenser assembly comprising a plurality of individual condenser plates each electrically connected to oneof said supporting members and positioned around a common cylindrical metallic member concentrically arranged with said cup-shaped member.

5. A socket for thermionic tubes of the type having a plurality of terminals protruding radially therefrom in a' plane perpendicular to the normal aXis thereof, comprising a metallic cupshaped member, a cylindrical member of insulating material positioned on said metallic member, a plurality of supporting members positioned about the periphery of said cylindrical member, each of said supporting members adapted to receive one of said terminals for supporting the tube whereby the latter is shielded by said metallic member and for forming electrical connections between said terminals and corresponding supporting member, and radio frequency bypassing means imbedded in said cylindrical member, said by-passing means comprising a circular condenser assembly having a circular metallic strip connected to said metallic member, a plurality of metallic plates secured to said circular strip with suitable dielectric material therebetween, and each of said plates electrically connected to one of said supporting members.

NICHOLAS M. RASKHODOFF. 

